Combating insects,their eggs,or acarids on plants



United States Patent 3,487,156 COMBATING INSECTS, THEIR EGGS, 0R ACARIDS 0N PLANTS Dieter Duerr, Bottmingen, Hans Aebi, Riehen, and Ludwig Ebner, Stein, Aargau, Switzerland, assignors to Ciba Limited, Basel, Switzerland, :1 company of Switzerland No Drawing. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 515,772, Oct. 8, 1965. This application Aug. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 569,828 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Mar. 8, 1962, 2,800/ 62 The portion of the term of the patent subsequent to Nov. 8, 1983, has been disclaimed Int. Cl. A01n 9/20, 9/22 US. Cl. 424-330 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method is provided for controlling pests such as acarids and insects in which a pesticidally effective amount of the compound of the formula Rut-1) wherein R is halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogenalkyl, a phenoxy radical, -CF N0 CN, or SCN, R is alkyl, R and R are hydrogen or alkyl and R and R when attached to each other in combination with the nitrogen atom represent a heterocyclic, is applied to the area wherein the pesticidal effect is desired.

This is continuation-in-part of our copending application Ser. No. 515,772, filed Oct. 8, 1965 now abandoned, which is in turn a divisional of our copending application Ser. No. 262,863, filed Mar. 5, 1963, now US. Patent 3,284,289.

The present invention provides preparations for combating pests, especially for combating undesired plant growth and harmful micro-organisms, insects, acarids and nematodes, which preparations contain as active substance a compound of the general formula R3 R: R (11-1) (1) in which R represents a halogen atom or a lower alkyl, alkoxy or halogenalkyl radical or a phenoxy radical that may be substituted by at least one halogen atom or a lower alkyl, alkoxy or halogen-alkyl radical or represents the group CF N0 -CN, SCN, n represents an integer of a value from 1 to 4, R represents an alkyl radical containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R and R are identical or different and represent hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, and the radicals R and R may together form part of a heterocyclic ring together with the nitrogen atom, or the salts of these compounds, together with a carrier. The carrier may be a solvent, a diluent, a dispersing agent, a Wetting agent or an adhesive and there may also be present a fertilizer or another pesticide.

Among the compounds of the general Formula I, there may be mentioned more especially those in which R represents a halogen atom or a lower alkyl or alkoxy radical, or a phenoxy radical that may be substituted by a halogen atom or a lower alkyl or alkoxy radical or represents the group CF or NO n represents the integer 1 or 2, R and R represent the methyl or ethyl radical, and R represents hydrogen or the methyl radical, or the salts of these compounds. As acids there may be used, for the formation of the salts with the bases set forth above practically any usual inorganic or organic acid, for example HCl, HBr, HJ, HF, H 50 H PO HPO HNO H010 HSO NH CH COOH, CCl COOH, citric acid, lactic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, glycollic acid, benzoic acid, oleic acid; 2,3,6-trichloro-benzoic acid, dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinic acid;

The preparation of the compounds of the general Formula I is advantageously carried out by heating the appropriate aryl-isocyanates with an NzN-disubstituted amide of a lower carboxylic acid, for example, dimethylformamide, NzN-dimethylacetamide, N-formyland N- acetylpyrrolidine or piperidine. The course of the reaction can easily be followed by the CO that is developed.

Instead of the isocyanates, the corresponding carbamic acid chlorides can be used with similar success.

Another method of preparing the compounds of the general Formula I consists in reacting a compound of the general formula a ut-i) in which R and n have the meaning ascribed to them in the general Formula I, R represents a lower alkyl group and R represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, with an amine of the general formula in which R and R have the meaning ascribed to them in the general Formula I.

By virtue of the wide scope of their biocidal action, the new products have the special advantage that they can be used for combating a very wide variety of vegetable and animal pests.

The compounds of the invention are not only suitable as herbicides; they can also be used in plant protection when applied in a concentration that does not allow a phytotoxic action and are highly effective in combating harmful microorganisms, for example, fungi, such as for example, Alternwria solani, Phytopthorw infesmns and Septoria appii, and in combating harmful aphids, insects, acarids and nematodes.

Furthermore, the new compounds can also be used as general microbicides, for example, in combating species of Aspergillus, and as insecticides, for example, for combating gnats, flies and the larvae thereof.

When preparing solutions of the compounds of the general Formula I that can be used as such for spraying there may be used as solvents, for example, mineral oil fractions with a high to medium boiling range such as diesel oil or kerosene, coal tar oils and oils of vegetable or animal origin, and hydrocarbons for example alkylated naphthalenes, tetra-hydronaphthalene, if desired, with the use of xylene mixtures, cyclo-hexanols or ketones, and chlorinated hydrocarbons for example trichlorethane, tetrachlorethane, trichloroethylene, trichlorobenzene and tetrachlorobenzene. It is advantageous to use organic solvents having a boiling point above 100 C.

The preparations may also be in the form of emulsion concentrates, pastes or wettable powders, which can be diluted with water to give aqueous spraying liquors. As emulsifiers or dispersing agents there may be used nonionic products, for example, condensation products of ethylene oxide with aliphatic alcohols, amines or carboxylic acids containing a long-chain hydrocarbon radical of 10 to 20 carbon atoms, for example a condensation product of octadecyl alcohol and 25 to 30 mols of ethylene oxide, or of soya bean fatty acid and 30 mols of ethylene oxide, or of commercial oleylamine and 15 mols of ethylene oxide, or of dodecyl mercaptan and 12 mols of ethylene oxide. As anionic emulsifiers there may be mentioned; the sodium salt of dodecyl alcohol sulfuric acid ester, the sodium salt of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, the potassium or triethanolamine salt of oleic acid or of abietic acid or of a mixture of these acids, or the sodium salt of a petroleum sulfonic acid. As cationic dispersing agents there may be mentioned quaternary ammonium compounds, for example cetyl pyridinium bromide or dihydroxyethyl benzyl-dodecyl-ammonium chloride.

Dusting or strewing preparations may contain as solid carriers, talcum, kaolin, bentonite, calcium carbonate or calcium phosphate, or carbon, cork powder, Wood meal or other materials of vegetable origin. It is also very advantageous to use the preparations in a granulated form. The various forms of preparations may contain the usual materials that improve their distribution, adhesive power, rain resistance or penetrating power; as such materials there may be mentioned; fatty acids, resins, glue, casein or alginates.

The preparations of the invention can be used either alone or in admixture with the usual pest-combating agents, especially insecticides, acaricides, nematocides, bactericides or other fungicides or herbicides.

The present invention also provides a member selected from the group consisting of (A) A compound of the formula wherein R represents a member selected from the group consisting of the chlorine atom, the bromine atom, a lower alkyl radical, a lower alkoxy radical, a chlorophenoxy radical, the NO -radical and the CF -radical, n represents a number of at most 2, R represents a member selected from the group consisting of the hydrogen atom and the methyl radical, and A represents a member selected from the group consisting of (a) the radical wherein R represents a member selected from the group consisting of the hydrogen atom and a lower alkyl radical, and R represents a lower alkyl radical, and (b) a 5 to 7-membered heterocyclic radical conatining at most 2 nitrogen atoms and at most 1 oxygen atom, which is attached to the remainder of the molecule by a nitrogen atom, and

(B) A salt of a compound set forth above under (A) with an acid.

The following examples illustrate the invention, the pa ts and Per en ag being b We h 4 EXAMPLE 1 I CH N-phenyl-N N-dimethyl-formamidine (a) Free base.lOO milliliters of carefully purified dimethylformamide and 50 milliliters of phenylisocyanate were heated under reflux with the exclusion of moisture until the evolution of carbon dioxide was finished. The solution was then fractionated in vacuo. After a firstrunning of unreacted dimethylformamide, the product distilled at 140 C. under a pressure of 18 millimeters of Hg. Yield: 39.5 grams.

(b) Hydrogen sulfate-20 grams of the free base obtained as described under (Ia) were dissolved in 50 milliliters of absolute alcohol. To this solution were added, dropwise with cooling, 13.5 grams of concentrated sulfuric acid. The resulting crystals were filtered off and washed with ether. Yield: 26 grams. Melting point: 169 to 182 C. (recrystallized from absolute alcohol).

Analysis.Calculated for C H O N S: C, 43.89%; H, 5.73%; N, 11.38%. Found: C, 43.94%; H, 5.84%; N, 11.28%.

II. C Ha l 0 Ha C F3 N-3trifluoromethyl-4-chlorophenyl-N':N'-

dimethylformamidine (a) Free base.This was prepared from 60 grams of 4-chloro-3-trifiuoromethylphenyl-isocyanate and milliliter of dimethylformamide by the method described under (Ia). Boiling point: 164 C. at 18 millimeters of Hg. Yield: 77 grams.

Analysis.Calculated for C H N ClF C, 47.92%; H, 4.02%; Cl, 14.15%. Found: C, 47.93; H, 4.27%; CI, 14.40%.

(b) The hydrogen sulfate was prepared from 20 grams of the free base (Ha) and 7.9 grams of concentrated sulfuric acid by the method described under (Ib). Yield: 21.5 grams, melting point 203 to 205 C. (recrystallized from absolute alcohol).

Analysis.-Calculated for C H O N C1SF C, 34.44%; H, 3.47%; Cl, 10.17%. Found: C, 34.69%; H, 3.66%; Cl, 9.88%.

III.

N-3 -trifluoromethylphenyl-N :N-dimethylformamidine IV. CH:

N-3 -chlorophenyl-N :N'-dimethyl-form amidine (a) Free base.This was prepared from 60 grams of meta-chlorophenylisocyanate and 100 milliliters of di-v methylformamide by the method described under (Ia), Yield: 55 grams. Boiling point; 124 C, at 0.05 milli; meter of Hg. i

Analysis.-Calculated for C H N Cl: C, 59.18%; H, 6.07%. Found: C, 58.9%; H, 6.2%.

(b) Perclorate.'l'his was prepared from 20 grams of the free base (Na) and 12 milliliters of perchloric acid of 60% strength in absolute alcohol. Melting point: 183 to 185 C. (recrystallized from a mixture of alcohol and ether).

Analysis.Calculated for C H O N Cl C, 38.18%; H, 4.27%; Cl, 25.05%. Found: C, 38.17%; H, 4.25%; Cl, 25.21%.-

N-para-chlorophenoxyphenyl-N' N'-dimethylformamidine (a) Free base.This was prepared from 60 grams of para-chlorophenoxy-phenyl-isocyanate and 100 milliliters of dimethylformamide. Yield: 50 grams. Melting point:

80 to 81.5 C. Boiling point: 209 C. at 0.05 millimeter of Hg.

Analysis.Calculated for C H ON Cl: Cl, 12.91%. Found: Cl, 13.13%.

(b) Hydrogen sulfate.--This was prepared from 20 grams of the free base (Va) and 7.2 grams of concentrated sulfuric acid by the method described under (Ib). Yield: 21 grams. Melting point: 186 to 194 C. (recrystallized from absolute alcohol).

Analysis.-Calculated for C15H17O5N2CISI C, 48.32%; H, 4.60%; Cl, 9.51%. Found: C, 48.6%; H, 4.5%; C], 9.7%.

VI. Ha

N-para-bromophenyl-N' N'-dimethyl-formamidine Free base.This was prepared by heating 50 grams of para-bromo-phenyl-isocyanate with 100 milliliters of dimethylformamide. Yield: 45 grams. Boiling point: 173 C. at 14 millimeters of Hg.

Analysis-Calculated for C H N Br: C, 47.60%; H, 4.88%; N, 12.34%. Found: C, 47.3%; H, 4.9%; N, 12.1%.

VII. OF;

/C H3 N=oH-N 0 H3 C F 3 N-3 -ditrifiuoromethylphenyl-N :N'-dimethylformamidine Perchlorate.This was prepared by heating 50 milliliters 3:5-ditrifiuoromethylphenylisocyanate with 100 milliliters of dimethylformamide until the evolution of gas ceased, The solution was cooled and 22 milliliters of perchloric acid of 60% strength were added dropwise. The product was precipitated with ether. Yield: 70 grams. Melting point: 256 to 261 C. (after recrystallization from a mixture of alcohol and ether).

Analysis.Calculated for C H O N ClF C, 34.35%, H, 2.88%; N, 7.28%. Found: C, 34.37%; H, 2.65%; N,

VIII. CH3

H CH

N-para-chlorophenyl-N' :N-dimethyl-acetamidine Perchlorate.-This was prepared by heating 50 grams of para-chloro-phenyl-isocyanate with 100 milliliters of NzN-dimethylacetamide at 130 C. until the evolution of gas ceased, The solution was cooled and the calculated amount of perchloric acid of 60% strength was added. A total of 29 grams of the desired amidine in the form of perchlorate was precipitated by the addition of ether. Melting point: 129 C. (after recrystallization from a mixture of alcohol and ether).

Analysis.Calculated for C H 0 N Cl N, 9.43%. Found: N, 9.61%.

IX. CF3

CH a-r CH3 CH3 C Fa N-3 S-ditrifluoromethylphenyl-N :N'-dimethylacetamidine Perchlorate.This was prepared from 100 milliliters of N:N-dimethyl-acetamide, 50 milliliters of 3:5-ditrifiuoromethylphenyl-isocyanate and 21.5 milliliters of perchloric acid of 60% strength by a method analogous to that described under (VIII). Yield: 70.5 grams in the form of perchlorate. Melting point: 285 to 288 C. (after recrystallization from a mixture of alcohol and ether).

Analysis.Calculated for C H O N C1F C, 36.15%; H, 3.29%; N, 7.03%. Found: C, 36.25%; H, 3.17%; N, 7.09%.

CH3 CH3 Cl N-3 :4-dichlorophenyl-N N'-dimethyl-acetamidine Perchlorate.This was prepared from 100 milliliters of N:N-dimethylacetamide, 50 grams of 3:4-dichlorophenylisocyanate and 25 milliliters of perchloric acid of 60% strength by a method analogous to that described under (VIII). Yield: 21 grams in the form of perchlorate. Melting point: 213 to 221 C. (after recrystallization from alcohol).

Analysis.Calculated for C H N Cl O N, 8.45%. Found: N, 8.4%.

XI. CH3

CH3 OCH N-2-methoXy-5-methylpheny1-N' N-dimethylformamidine Free base.This was prepared from 50 milliliters of 2- methoxy-S-methylphenyl-isocyanate and 75 milliliters of dirnethylformamide by the method described under (Ia). Yield: 43.5 grams. Boiling point: 92 to 95 C. at 0.05 millimeter of Hg.

Analysis.Calculated for C H O N Cl (perchlorate prepared as described under (Ib): C, 45.13%; H, 5.85%; N, 9.57%. Found: C, 45.09%; H, 6.09%; N, 9.67%.

The melting point of the perchlorate is 234 to 236.5 C.

XII. CH3

C Ha

N-para-methoxyphenyl-N:N'-dimethylformamidinc The compounds listed in the following table can be prepared in an analogous manner:

Analysis (theoretical values in brackets) lioiling point, Compound Hg H N Cl /CH3 ClN- CH-N CH5 CH3 N=CH-N o11 \-N:CHN

CH4-N=CHN I CH3 N02 7 c1 CH3 94 0. 05 00.9 01.07 0.5 0. 00 13.9 14. 24

I 1 CH3 CH3-N=CH-N l CH2CH2 Cl-N=CH=N /c11.

I 011F611 01-N=0HN I CH2CE1 o1-N=oH-N 0 GHQ-CH2 N=CHN N-CH;

1 GET-CH:

N =C HN CH2CH CH ClN=CHN 15) CHz-CHrCHz 101-102/0. 04 05. 42 (05. 92

Cl-N= 0 H-N Analysis Own g point (theoretical values in brackets) Compound Hg H N 01 CHBO-Q =CH-N\ (17) /OH2-CI\2 140143/0.1 49.49 (49. 24) 4.34 (4.13) 9. 46 (9.57)

GE -CH3 EXAMPLE 2 (a) A wettable powder than can be diluted with water to give aqueous spraying liquors and that contains 20% of the active substance of the formula CHa described in Example 1 under (IIb) was prepared in the manner described under (a).

(c) 7.5 parts of an emulsifier consisting of a mixture of 3 parts of the calcium or magnesium salt of mono-laurylbenzene-monosulfonic acid and 7 parts of a polyglycol ether of sorbitan-monolaurate were dissolved in 72.5 parts of butenol. 20 parts of the active substance of the formula CH3 0F, described in Example 1 under (III) were dissolved in this mixture, An opalescent solution was formed that can be diluted with water as required and that can be used as a spraying solution.

EXAMPLE 3 Seeds of the following plants were sown in flowerpots in a greenhouse: Setaria italica, Dactylis glomerata, Sinapis alba, Medicago sativa, Lepidium sativum and Calendula chrysantha.

A pre-emergent treatment was carried out 2 days after sowing with a spraying solution prepared as described in Example 2(a) that contained as active substance the compound (IIa), Example 1, or with a spraying solution that contained as active substance the compound (11b) of Example l, the spray being applied-at a rate corresponding to kilograms of active substance per hectare.

Evaluation of the results about days after the treatment showed that, in both cases, the above-mentioned plants were dead or damaged to such an extent (Dactylis) that they could no longer develop normally.

EXAMPLE 4 The experiments were prepared in the manner described in Example 3. However, the post-emergent treatment of the said plants was carried out about 10 days after sowing when the plants had developed the first pair of leaves. The treatment was carried out with sprays prepared as described in Example 2(a) or 2(b) that contained as active substances the compounds described in Example 1 under (Ila) or (IIb), the sprays being applied at a rate corresponding to 10 kilograms of active substance per hectare. 18 days after the treatment Calendula, Lepidium and Medicago were dead in both cases, whereas Sinapis, Dactylis and Setaria were damaged to such an extent that they could no longer develop normally.

The compounds (Va) and (Vb) in Example 1 and the compounds (1), (9) and (18) in the table are distinguished by a specially good herbicidal action.

EXAMPLE 5 (a) Tomato and celery plants were sprayed with a solution prepared as described in Example 2(c) that contained 0.2% of the active substance of the formula that is described in Example 1 under (III).

2 days after the treatment, some of the tomato plants were infected with the spores of Alternaria solani and others with the spores of Phytophthora infestans. The celery plants were infected with a spore suspension of Septoria apii. After the said plants had been infected with the fungi, they were placed in an incubation chamber for two days at a temperature of 22 to 26 C. and at a relative humidity of to Evaluation of the results (0%'=no action; 100%:completely free from fungi attack) showed the following: Alternaria so'lani 100%, Phytophthora infestans 97%, Septoria apii 95%.

There were virtually no phytotoxic efiects to be observed on the treated plants.

The compounds (1), (9), (10) and (11) in the table in Example 1 and compound (I) in Example 1 are distinguished by a specially good fungicidal action.

EXAMPLE 6 (a) The contact action of compound (18) in the table of Example 1 was tested on the house fly (Musca domestz'ca).

The experiments were carried out in the following manner: a 0.01% solution of the said compound in ether was prepared. 1 cubic centimeter of the solution was introduced into the bottom and cover of a Petri dish having a diameter of about centimeters; the solvent was allowed to evaporate. 1O fiies were then introduced into the dish, the dish was covered and, after four hours, it was determined how many of the flies could no longer walk or were lying on their backs. The experiment was repeated five times.

The average action on the flies was 97%.

(b) The contact action of compound (18) in the table of Example 1 was tested on the corn weevil (Calandria granaria). In this experiment, a 0.001% solution of the active substance in acetone showed a 100% action against Calandria gran-aria.

The ovicidal action of compound (18) in the table of Example 1 was tested on the eggs of the flour moth (Ephestz'a kuehniella). A mixture prepared as described in Example 2(c) that contained the said compound showed a 100% ovicidal action against Ephcstia kuehniella at an active substance concentration of 0.0125%.

EXAMPLE 7 (a) The following compounds of this application were tested as to their acaricidal action: (IVa); (IVb); (V); table, Nos. (7) and (14). Dwarf beans, heavily infested with spinner mites T etranychus telarius) were treated all around with an aqueous spraying liquor prepared by diluting the emulsion concentrate described in Example 2(c) containing 0.1% of active principal, the quantity used corresponding to about 1 kg. per hectare.

('b) 10 g. each of the active substances described in Example 1 were dissolved in 100 g. of acetone and the resulting solution treated with 80 g. of an emulsifier consisting of the condensation product of 1 mol of para-ditertiary octylphenol and 8 mols of ethylene oxide, The solution so obtained can be diluted with water in any desired proportion, for example to obtain a concentration of 100 to 10 ppm.

The nematocidal action of the compounds against Panegrellus redivivus was tested with a series of progressive dilutions so obtained. At a concentration of 100 ppm. the mortality of Panegrellus redivivus was between 60 and 100%.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for combating harmful acarids on plants which comprises contacting acarids on said plants with not more than a nonphytotoxic acaricidally effective amount of a member selected from the group consisting of (A) a compound of the formula wherein R represents a member selected from the group consisting of the chlorine atom, the bromine atom, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, chlorophenoxy, NO and CF n represents a number of at most 2, R represents a member selected from the group consisting of the hydrogen atom and methyl, and A represents a member selected from the group consisting of (a) the radical wherein R represents a member selected from the group consisting of the hydrogen atom and lower alkyl, and R represents lower alkyl, and (b) a member selected from the group consisting of the radicals and (B) a salt of a compound set forth above under (A) with an acid selected from the group consisting of HCl, HBr, HI, HF, H H PO HPO HNO HCIO HSO NH CH COOH, CCl COOH, citric acid, lactic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, glycollic acid, benzoic acid, oleic acid; 2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid, dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, salicyclic acid, nicotinic acid;

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said compound is of the formula 3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said compound is the perchlorate of the compound of the formul l CH3 01 4. The method according to claim 1 wherein said compound is of the formula 5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said com-- pound is of the formula I I 0113 N=CH--N/ M cm 6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said compound is of the formula 7. A method for combating harmful insects and their eggs which comprises applying thereto an insecticidal or ovicidal amount of a member selected from the group consisting of (A) a compound of the formula wherein R represents a member selected from the group consisting of the hydrogen atom and lower alkyl, and R represents lower alkyl, and (b) a member selected from the group consisting of the radicals and (B) a salt of a compound set forth above under (A) with an acid selected from the group consisting of 8,487,156 13 14 HCl, HBr, HI, HF, H SO H PO HPO HNO H010 References Cited HSO NH CH COOH, CC1 COOH, citric acid, lactic UNITED STATES PATENTS acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, glycollic acid, bcnzoic acid,

oleic acid; 2,3,6-trichlorobenzoic acid, dodecyl benzene 3,073,851 1/1963 Steiger 260296 XR sulfonic acid, salicyclic acid, nicotinic acid; 3,084,192 4/1963 Smathers 5 3,119,831 1/1964 Homer 71-25 XR .cc1 c00 3,164,633 1/1965 Clemens 71-2.6

3,189,648 6/1965 Gerjovich 260564 8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the com- 3,284,289 11/ 1966 Duerr et a1. 424-2/14 pound is of the formula CH3 10 SHEP K. ROSE, Primary Examiner 

